| Times have changed dramatically. Lead by | | | | 3. Are there pre-made templates for complex |
| easy-to-use content development programs, the | | | | features I want? |
| streamlining of internet services, and the | | | | Often overlooked by new web designers, there is |
| affordability of new hardware- cheap website | | | | no need to re-invent the wheel. If you are looking |
| hosting is now an option worth considering. | | | | for a site that will need a forum section or a |
| Many features that were once high-end are now | | | | mailing list, see if any of the hosts you are |
| taken completely for granted. Domain name | | | | considering offer pre-made 'templates' so you can |
| registration is quite often free or practically free. | | | | effectively drag-and-drop the features into your |
| Sub-domains are common and frequently used. | | | | website. This may save a great amount of time |
| Email addresses are plentiful. Storage can be | | | | and headaches. |
| nearly infinite. | | | | 4. Is there a content management system? |
| Caution is still needed, however. As the | | | | Most web hosting sites today employ a front-end |
| feature-rich environments we all enjoy become | | | | 'content management system'. This is usually a |
| more prevalent, it is the smaller details that are | | | | simple web interface allowing you to move files |
| getting cut at some hosting sites. Make sure that | | | | from your computer to the site, edit style sheets, |
| you consider your decision for a cheap web | | | | drop in scripts, etc. If you are planning on using |
| hosting site very carefully, and be aware of all the | | | | the content management system provided by |
| benefits and drawbacks on a site. Here are a few | | | | the host- research it a little and make sure its |
| basic things to look for. | | | | features will make maintaining your site easy. If |
| 1. Is there technical support? | | | | you are not going to use the content |
| Not account support, not billing support, true | | | | management system, or they do not offer one, |
| technical support. Every web hosting site has | | | | make sure you know how you will manage your |
| some small area where the setup is not quite the | | | | site- whether that be through FTP, a Unix |
| same as every other site. Technical support | | | | command line, or a professional design and |
| should be there to answer those types of | | | | publishing program. |
| questions. I would not expect there to be an | | | | 5. Finally, make sure that you read all the fine |
| actual phone line for technical support with a | | | | print and end user license agreements. Make sure |
| cheaper web hosting company, but an email | | | | you are aware of all aspects of what you are |
| address or web form should be just fine. | | | | buying into. Specifically, check for any bandwidth |
| 2. Does the host support my scripting language? | | | | restrictions, content restrictions or service |
| For slightly more advanced users, make sure that | | | | restrictions. It would be terrible to design a |
| the web hosting site supports your preferred | | | | website to sell all of your precious books through |
| scripting language. Almost everyone supports PHP | | | | Amazon only to find your host does not allow |
| these days, but if you are going to use Java- | | | | business sites and shuts down its servers every |
| make sure the host specifically states you can | | | | Saturday! |
| use it. If they do not list your scripting language | | | | In the end, cheap web hosting has come a very |
| (or if you are using a very new or not-so-popular | | | | long way and is very desirable today. With a little |
| language), contact the host and ask if they | | | | caution and a small amount of research, it can be |
| support it or could install support for it. Sometimes | | | | a very economical solution. |
| they will! | | | | |